Trophy-winning rugby union teams Bradford and Bingley and Baildon have been honoured with civic receptions by Bradford's Lord Mayor, Coun Tony Miller.

Bradford and Bingley lifted Thwaites North Division Two, while Baildon's success in the Independent Agriculture Yorkshire Silver Trophy final was their first success in their 87-year history.

The Bees, who have retained New Zealander Colin Hay as coach, lost only four of their 22 matches and finished four points ahead of runners-up Blackburn. Bradford and Bingley also had a new skipper in Richard Petyt, and the mixture of grafting forwards and exciting backs proved a potent brew.

Baildon, promoted from Yorkshire Division Four in 1997-98, almost made it two promotions in a row, but had the consolation of the cup win, where they beat Wibsey 26-0 at Wagon Lane in Yorkshire's first all-Bradford cup final.

Next season they will again be trying for promotion to Yorkshire Two and, because of their Silver Trophy win, they will be elevated to the Yorkshire Shield - the intermediate of the county's three cup competitions.

Baildon's coaches Malcolm Lightowler and Dave Jeanes successfully operated a rotation system for the first team squad, and their overall spirit was a big factor in their success.

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